Upper School Students Help Fifth Grade Try Their Hand at Chemistry

Joan Zanfardino’s Advanced Chemistry students recently worked with Colleen Vinchur’s and Kyle Lewis’s fifth graders on a hands-on acid-base activity in our chemistry lab.

The fifth graders learned about acids and bases by observing color changes and chemical reactions at three stations. At one station, they explored the pH scale using a series of solutions and litmus paper. They tested common acids and bases, including vinegar and soap, and saw blue litmus paper turn red with acids and red litmus paper turn blue with bases. Another station showed how indicators change color when a strong base is added to a strong acid. Students started with a green indicator solution, watched it turn pink in a flask of acid, and then saw it quickly turn blue when base was added. At the third station, students added baking soda to vinegar to make a mini-volcano using a balloon. They enjoyed watching the balloon inflate and even held a friendly competition to see how the amount of baking soda affected the reaction.

It was a great experience for both the fifth grade students and the Upper School chemists alike!